How Social Platforms Can Address The Youth Mental Health Crisis
Forbes March 17, 2025
NSCA member Candice Odgers is cited in Forbes explaining that research suggests broader societal challenges may have a more significant impact on teen wellbeing than social media. The article proposes that social media companies can help support positive mental health in teens by giving platform users more choices, providing evidence-based supports, and creating approachable solutions.
Recent News
May 22, 2026
NSCA member Candice Odgers was quoted in a New York Times article about the new screen time warning issued by the Surgeon General. Although the warning linked excessive time online to worse sleep issues, anxiety, depression, alcohol use, and other health harms, experts say the research is more nuanced. “Much of the existing research does not suggest that social media use is a major predictor of whether a child will develop mental health issues,” said Candice. Rather, she said, “it suggests that children who are already struggling with mental health or other issues are more likely to spend time online.”
May 15, 2026
In this video, our co-executive directors, Andrew J. Fuligni and Adriana Galván, explore “The Opportunity of Adolescence” and share the science behind why adolescence is an important window of opportunity and plasticity where investments and science-informed supports can help set our young people up for thriving futures.
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